Talks fail; striking VIMSAR docs adamant, to continue cease work

On the sixth day of the strike by junior doctors and house surgeons of Burla based VIMSAR, a crucial meeting between the medicos and RDC (North) NBS Rajput today failed to bear any result.

Earlier in the day, a meeting with the district collector of Sambalpur had also failed. Quite like yesterday, the students demanded a direct discussion with the Health Minister or the Health Secretary to end the logjam.

“I had a long discussion with the students. They are adamant on their demands. We will request the government to consider their demands and take a decision quickly,” said Revenue Divisional Commissioner (North) Rajput speaking to reporters after the meeting.

“Our demands are just and fair. It is the government who is neglecting. We have been asking for a meeting with the Health Minister, but it has not been arranged yet. The meeting with the RDC failed today. Our strike would continue until our demands are met,” said president of Junior Doctors’ Association Shankar Ramchandani.

Notably, the strike by about 450 doctors and house surgeons of the medical college and hospital has rendered healthcare services of the institute almost defunct. The medicos have been on the cease work since January 12 demanding fulfilment of their nine point charter of demands.

Their demands include installation of an MRI machine, delegation of financial and administrative power to VIMSAR, shifting of female medicine ward to a new building, strengthening of security on the medical college premises, round-the-clock water and electricity supply at the operation theater, a labor room, a sick newborn care unit (SNCU), an intensive care unit (ICU), a new medicine ward, a canteen, hostels, an increase in library fund, recruitment of staff for the library, filling up of vacant teaching and non-teaching posts, and improvement in the sanitary condition of the institute.